Coffeez for Closers with Joe Shalaby

Episode: From Wall Street to Warrior ft. Rafa J. Conde (Man of War)
Date: September 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this thought-provoking episode, Joseph Shalaby sits down with Rafa J. Conde, founder and CEO of the “Man of War” movement—a national platform focused on forging stronger male leaders through the cultivation of the “warrior spirit.” Rafa shares his dramatic journey from a high-flying Wall Street career to a life of service in law enforcement, and ultimately to building a community and coaching program that reinvigorates male leadership and resilience. The conversation spans personal transformation, challenges of modern masculinity, lessons in leadership, faith, and strategies for raising the next generation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rafa's "Warrior" Morning Routine

• 4:30 AM wakeup, gratitude, cold showers, meditation, running and weightlifting.
  • “I call it the warriors hour—4:30 out of bed...run into a cold shower for two minutes...jog over to the gym, do my weightlifting...and then start the day. No coffee involved in that process.” (B, 00:26)

2. Leaving Wall Street: The Catalyst and Aftermath

• Success as a stockbroker, managing $480 million, but haunted by 9/11 and the urge to serve a higher purpose.
  • “I want to do something that will really change lives, that'll change my life. I need to serve for a higher purpose, as they call it.” (B, 01:41)
• Discusses sitting down with his pregnant wife to explain the life change and her steadfast support.
  • “She’s like, look, I’m your ride or die.” (B, 02:35)
• Joined Riviera Beach Police Department, worked dangerous undercover assignments.
• Losses: foreclosures, car repossessions, personal shame and embarrassment.
  • “The wake-up call was when I’m out in my patrol car ... and I get a call from my wife ... Somebody stole [her car]. That moment I realized ... they repossessed that car.” (B, 06:14)
• Personal growth through hardship.
  • “Hindsight, looking back at it now, it was very powerful. I don’t think I would be the man that I am today if I didn’t go through that.” (B, 07:11)

3. The Call to Serve & True Testing as a Warrior

• Burnout and loss of passion for Wall Street, ethical misgivings.
  • “The love of trading...was so up and down...and it started to wear on me...I felt like I was lacking some of that edge. I’ve never really been tested too much...being a cop, boy, it woke me up.” (B, 08:20)
• Law enforcement tested his courage and resolve under extreme circumstances:
  • “Having a young man’s head, you know, on my hands like this, and he’s breathing, his brain is partly blown out...this kid’s just looking at me and gargling...I’m the last person that he ever sees before he dies.” (B, 10:17)

4. Origins and Philosophies of the Man of War Movement

• Police academy instructor, noticed declining physical and mental resilience in male recruits.
  • “The young men...were weaker and weaker...women, right off the bat, were stronger than men...what about the warrior spirit in a man?” (B, 12:23)
• Launched Man of War podcast (2017) and expanded into community, programs, and bestselling book.
• Focus is on forging the “warrior spirit” through discipline, code of conduct, and overcoming adversity, not just promoting traditional masculinity.
  • “We focus on forging men into warriors...missing the edge...discipline...a way of life...entrepreneurs, you go out there, you build empires, you forge forward...” (B, 14:07)

5. Teaching Warrior Spirit to the Next Generation

• On raising sons amid abundance—intentional adversity building.
  • “You have to build a strategic structure in your home...I’m going to give you maybe 30%. You’re going to have to figure the other 70% out yourself...” (B, 17:16)
• Struggles, not just successes, define a man.
  • “Every man that has made anything of himself has gone through extremely difficult situation in his life.” (B, 18:46)

6. Leadership Lessons from SWAT and Federal Ops

• Keys: delegating, clarity of mission, communication, and leading from the front.
  • “Sometimes as a leader, you don’t want to delegate anything because you think you can do it better...but in reality, you can’t do everything...a good leader communicates his mission.” (B, 19:54, 20:25)

7. Masculinity and the ‘Toxic’ Label

• Disputes modern concepts of toxic masculinity, argues men are natural protectors/providers.
  • “There is [no] such thing as toxic masculinity...the moment that a man...abdicates his role as a king...passes down that role to his wife...it's completely backwards.” (B, 21:27)
• Man of War aims to “give men the crown back,” but only if earned—balance conviction with tenderness/power.

8. Masculinity in Today’s Society

• Where expressing masculinity is sometimes controversial (especially in liberal states).
• Rafa’s take: masculinity should be natural, not “performed” or reined in.
  • “I don't think that you express your masculinity intentionally. I think that it becomes part of who you are...missing in masculinity is more of that type of finesse. The way we articulate ourselves, the way we carry ourselves.” (B, 24:12)
• Rejects stereotypes equating masculinity with aggression; points to role models (Sean Connery, John Wayne, John Wick) who combine strength and control.

9. Faith, Abundance, and Giving Back

• Rafa’s deep-rooted Christian faith: “All the glory goes to God, you know, no matter cars, houses, money, trips, great times, all that, all the glory, you know, only blessed because of him.” (B, 34:11)
• Faith forms the foundation for both men; giving back and serving are central.
• “You mentioned abundance...for me, it’s about just giving...somehow you...give and it all comes back...” (B, 37:34)

10. Personal, Family, and Business Goals

• Personal: Connect with and positively impact a million men via Man of War.
  • “Personal goal. I want to reach a million. That’s my goal. To actually change lives and connect with a million men...” (B, 38:10)
• Family: See his son through law school; travel the world with his wife.
• Business: Global expansion—Latin America to Europe.
  • “We are executing in so many countries in Latin America...the next step now we’re moving into Europe and we’re going to take Europe by storm.” (B, 39:30)

11. On Legacy and the Pearly Gates

• Looking back, Rafa hopes to meet God having lived with conviction and honor, imperfect but always striving to honor his Savior.
  • “‘You have screwed up many times...but in your heart, heart, you’ve always honored me in everything that you have done.’ And I believe that's truly the way that I've lived my life.” (B, 40:16)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Transformation:
  • “It was more about that—I actually lost them in foreclosure. I lost my cars in repossessions...I was going downhill at 100 miles an hour.” (B, 05:56)
• On Testing Oneself:
  • “I was always part of the martial arts world...but I really, really was never tested in the realities of life. And being a cop, boy, it woke me up.” (B, 09:01)
• On Modern Masculinity:
  • “There is [no] such thing as toxic masculinity...we give men the crown back...because they've earned it.” (B, 21:22)
• On Abundance and Giving:
  • “If we have a state of mind, an abundant state of mind...for me, it’s about just giving...and somehow...it all comes back.” (B, 37:34)
• On Mission and Legacy:
  • “I want to reach a million...By the time I make my transition out of Man of War...or I pass away...I want to expand our territory.” (B, 38:10, 39:30)
  • “You have screwed up many times...but...you’ve always honored me in everything that you have done.” (B, 40:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Morning Routine & Mindset — 00:21–01:07
• Leaving Wall Street for Law Enforcement — 01:07–06:14
• Personal Losses & Growth — 05:32–07:11
• The Calling & Real-World Testing — 07:49–10:14
• Pivotal Moments in Policing — 10:14–11:40
• Birth of Man of War — 12:08–16:17
• Raising Warrior Sons — 17:11–19:31
• Leadership under Pressure — 19:31–21:12
• Challenging Masculinity Misconceptions — 21:12–24:10
• Navigating Modern Masculinity in Society — 24:10–28:33
• Reflections on California, Politics, and Faith — 28:33–37:34
• Personal, Family, and Global Aspirations — 37:57–40:01
• Legacy and Afterlife — 40:12–40:54

How to Find Rafa J. Conde and Man of War

• Online: manofwar.us
• Social: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok (@rafajconde, @manofwarcrucible)
• Man of War Cross Crucible programs and free life resources are available through their website.

This episode delivers a compelling look at courage, resilience, leadership, and the evolving meaning of masculinity and service in today’s world. Both seasoned entrepreneurs and anyone seeking deeper purpose will find Rafa’s journey and philosophy both challenging and inspiring.